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Ridley College

Canada, St. Catharines

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The school at a glance
Instructs in English
Fees CA$33,300 - 92,500
Ages 4 - 18 years
Pupil numbers 870
Type Co-educational, Co-educational (boarding)
Opened 1889
Bus Service No
Academic offering
Curriculum IB (PYP), IB (MYP), IB (DP), Canadian Curriculum
Taught languages English, French, German, Mandarin, Spanish
Strengths Sport, Performing Arts, Visual and Creative Arts
Clubs Arts and Creative, Social and Hobbies, Community and Service
Stages Early Years, Kindergarten, Primary School, Middle School, Secondary School
Introduction

Ridley College is an independent, co-educational day and boarding school in St. Catharines, Ontario. Servicing ages 4 to 18, Ridley offers an international and Canadian curriculum with IB programs (PYP, MYP, DP) alongside the Ontario curriculum, and the Upper School awards the Ontario Secondary School Diploma and the International Baccalaureate Diploma. Ridley is an IB World School and the only independent boarding school in Canada authorized to offer the full IB continuum with an open-access policy for the DP. The DP core includes TOK, EE, and CAS, with six subject groups: Language and Literature, Language Acquisition, Individuals and Societies, Sciences, Mathematics, and the Arts. The campus spans 90 acres in the Niagara region, featuring the Mitchell Learning Commons in the Iggulden Building, Paterson Performance Hall, Great Hall, Suzanne Court Family Fitness Centre, Jack Aylott Squash Centre, and Tiger Arena. Ridley supports 75+ co-curricular offerings across arts, sports, service and leadership.

2 Ridley Road, P.O. Box 3013, St. Catharines, Ontario L2R 7C3, Canada

The Essentials

Ridley College has 870 pupils, instruction in English.

Location
Ridley College is located at 2 Ridley Road, St. Catharines, Ontario L2R 7C3, Canada. It sits on a 90-acre campus in the Niagara Region. The campus is in St. Catharines and is accessible by local roads; a bus transportation program serves day families within a 50 km radius of the campus.

Stages
Lower School (JK–Grade 6); Middle School (Grades 7–8); Upper School (Grades 9–12)

Type
Independent day and boarding school; co-educational

Additional learning support
Learning Support is provided through Learning Strategists within the Circle of Care; Advisory programming pairs students with staff; on-site nurses/doctors are available; a social-emotional counsellor supports wellbeing.

Country affiliation
Canada

Religious affiliation
Christian

Bus service
Bus transportation for day students within 50 km of the St. Catharines campus. Service runs morning and afternoon Monday to Friday during the school year. Stops include Beamsville, Effingham, Fonthill, Grimsby, Niagara Falls, Niagara-on-the-Lake, St. Catharines, Stoney Creek, Thorold, Vineland and Welland. Buses arrive on campus by 8:00 a.m. and depart around 4:40 p.m. The service is included in tuition and arranged with Switzer-Carty; final routes are set in August.
Diving Deeper

Boarding Arrangements
Ridley College offers a boarding programme with ten on-campus Houses. Every Ridleian, day and boarding, belongs to one of the ten boarding Houses. Ten Heads of House live on campus with their own families in homes adjacent to their Houses, supported by an Assistant Head of House and Residence Dons. Houses foster community with activities such as House competitions (Bradley Shield and Bermuda Cup), mentoring younger students, House arts events and charity service. Weekend programming and Saturday activities are part of the Ridley boarding experience.

Uniform Requirement
Upper School uniforms include Classroom Dress (white Oxford shirt with Ridley tie, or Ridley polo; Black Ridley V-neck or full-zip sweater; Grey pants with black dress socks or Ridley tartan skirt with black socks or tights; All-black shoes). Formal Dress includes white Oxford shirt, Ridley blazer, Ridley tie, Grey pants or tartan skirt, and black shoes. Sports Dress uses a Ridley athletic T-shirt or sweatshirt, black athletic shorts or pants, white socks, and athletic shoes. Summer Dress is allowed Sept–Thanksgiving and Easter–June with a white Ridley golf shirt instead of a long-sleeved shirt; Casual Dress is permitted on designated days. Lower School has its own dress policy as well.

Food Options
Healthy and delicious dining options are provided each day in Williams Hall (Lower School) and The Great Hall (Upper School). A full-time dietitian works with the kitchen to ensure healthy meals and snacks, with meal times built into the day. Meals and snacks accommodate allergies and dietary restrictions, with Purple Allergen Leaders (PAL) assisting in real time. Throughout the year Ridley hosts dining events and celebrations of international cuisine and holidays, plus formal dinners such as the Cadet Officers Mess Dinner, the Literary Dinner and Graduation Dinner.

House System
Ridley has ten Houses; every Ridleian belongs to one House, which has its own culture, colours, mascots and traditions, and inter-house competitions such as the Bradley Shield and Bermuda Cup. Lower School uses four House Teams: Northern Ice, Western Storm, Southern Flame and Eastern Rock. The House leadership includes Ten Heads of House who live on campus with their families, supported by an Assistant Head of House and Residence Dons, plus faculty advisors. The Weekend at Ridley includes House-led activities and excursions.

Governance and Ownership
Ridley College is governed by a Board of Governors comprising approximately 15 to 18 volunteer members who serve five-year renewable terms on four standing committees: Finance and Audit, Facilities Management, Development, and Governance and Nomination. The Board is dedicated to the successful governance and sustenance of Ridley College.
Fees

Annual tuition at Ridley College ranges from CAD 33,300 to CAD 92,500 for 2026/27.

Application / one-time registration fees

- New day student one‑time registration fee (charged on acceptance, non‑refundable):
- JK–Grade 3: CAD 1,250.
- Grades 4–6: CAD 1,850.
- Grades 7–8: CAD 2,000.
- Grades 9–12/PG: CAD 3,000.
- New domestic boarding one‑time registration fee (charged on acceptance, non‑refundable): CAD 4,000.
- New international boarding confirmation fee (charged on acceptance; includes one‑time registration component and an incidental deposit): total CAD 9,500 (one‑time registration CAD 4,500 + estimated incidental CAD 5,000). The first tuition instalment (CAD 18,500) is also required before a Letter of Acceptance is issued for new international students.

Base tuition (2026/27) by year group

- Day students — base tuition (annual):
- JK–Grade 3: CAD 33,300.
- Grades 4–6: CAD 36,200.
- Grades 7–8: CAD 38,825.
- Grades 9–12 / PG: CAD 49,000.

- Domestic boarding — base tuition (annual): Grades 6–12 / PG: CAD 80,500.

- International boarding — base tuition (annual): Grades 6–12 / PG: CAD 92,500.

Tuition instalment schedules (per payment plan) — amounts and due dates

- Day students (examples by payment plan):
- Plan A (annual, two instalments — required for families residing outside Canada/US):
- Due March 2, 2026: first instalment — JK–Grade 3 CAD 6,660; Grades 4–6 CAD 7,240; Grades 7–8 CAD 7,765; Grades 9–12 CAD 9,800.
- Due June 1, 2026: final instalment — JK–Grade 3 CAD 26,640; Grades 4–6 CAD 28,960; Grades 7–8 CAD 31,060; Grades 9–12 CAD 39,200.
- Base tuition totals by grade: JK–Grade 3 CAD 33,300; Grades 4–6 CAD 36,200; Grades 7–8 CAD 38,825; Grades 9–12 CAD 49,000. Totals shown for Plan A include the mandatory Tuition Refund Plan charge.
- Plan B (standard, three instalments):
- Due March 2, 2026; June 1, 2026; October 1, 2026 — amounts vary by grade (examples: March/June/Oct for Grades 9–12: CAD 16,758 / 16,758 / 16,764; total CAD 50,280). Plan B includes the Tuition Refund Plan and a CAD 300 service fee.
- Plan C (monthly, 12 instalments):
- First payment March 2026 then April 2026–February 2027 monthly — example totals and monthly amounts shown by grade (e.g., Grades 9–12 total CAD 52,476; March first instalment CAD 5,000; Apr–Feb monthly CAD 4,316). Plan C includes the Tuition Refund Plan and interest charges.

- Domestic boarding (Grades 6–12 / PG) — instalments (examples):
- Plan A (two instalments):
- Due March 2, 2026: CAD 16,100; Due June 1, 2026: CAD 64,400; Base tuition CAD 80,500. Total shown (including mandatory Tuition Refund Plan) CAD 82,110.
- Plan B (three instalments):
- Due March 2, June 1, October 1 — example instalments CAD 27,567 / 27,567 / 27,576; total CAD 82,710 (includes Tuition Refund Plan and CAD 600 service fee).
- Plan C (monthly, 12 instalments):
- March 2026 first payment CAD 8,050 then Apr 2026–Feb 2027 monthly CAD 7,106; total CAD 86,216 (includes Tuition Refund Plan and interest).

- International boarding (Grades 6–12 / PG) — instalments (international payment plan — two instalments required for families residing outside Canada/US):
- Due March 2, 2026 (or upon acceptance for new students to obtain study permit): CAD 18,500. Due June 1, 2026: CAD 74,000. Base tuition CAD 92,500. Mandatory Tuition Refund Plan amount CAD 1,850 (included in totals); total CAD 94,350. New international students must pay the first instalment before the school issues a Letter of Acceptance.

What boarding and day tuition includes

- Tuition is comprehensive and includes regular academic programming, campus dining (daily lunch for day students; full board for boarders), residential life programming for boarders, local bus transportation for eligible day students, most co‑curriculars, competitive sports, campus facilities, and access to health/wellness services.

Estimated incidental and additional charges (required and optional)

- Estimated annual incidental fees (to be charged to the student account; a deposit is requested by August 31 to cover these costs):
- Upper School day students: approximately CAD 3,000 per year (estimate).
- Domestic boarding students: estimated incidental fees CAD 4,000 per year.
- International boarding students: estimated incidental fees CAD 5,000 per year.

- Standard / frequently incurred incidental items (annual ranges where given):
- International health insurance (required for students without a Canadian provincial plan): CAD 800.
- Domestic travel & accident insurance (Grades 4–12): CAD 50–100; Domestic accident insurance (JK–Grade 3): CAD 8.50.
- Uniform (Hank's Campus Store): Lower School CAD 450–750; Middle School CAD 800–1,100; Upper School CAD 900–1,300.
- Books (Hank's Campus Store): ranges by level — e.g., Upper School CAD 150–500.
- IB Diploma Programme fee (if enrolled): CAD 2,300 per year; IB HL course fee: CAD 450 per year.
- Prep sports programme fees (hockey, basketball, rowing, figure skating): typically CAD 3,000–7,500 per year.
- Grade 12 graduation fee (portrait, gown rental, Prize Day dinner tickets): CAD 550.
- Other optional charges include tutors, music lessons, tournaments, trips, campus store purchases, and third‑party services; those are charged to the account as incurred.

Billing schedule and payment terms

- Families must choose a payment plan when completing the enrolment contract; in the absence of a selection, Plan A will be assigned. Plan A (two instalments) is required for families residing outside Canada/US. Plan B (three instalments) and Plan C (monthly) are available with applicable service/interest fees and restrictions.
- Payment methods accepted:
- Canadian online bill payment (use four‑digit family account number).
- Cheque (payable to RIDLEY COLLEGE).
- Wire transfer or credit card via Flywire for international and Canadian payments.
- Canadian credit‑card payments (Plastiq) are listed as an option for some cases (new international student information).
- Late payment policy: balances unpaid 30 days after the due date are subject to interest of 1.5% per month. Students with unpaid accounts may be prohibited from attending school or participating in trips until accounts are settled; other collection actions may be taken.
- Administrative fees: changes to a payment plan after contract submission incur a CAD 250 administration fee; some plans include service fees (e.g., Plan B service fee). No plan changes accepted after June 1.

Refunds and the Tuition Refund Plan

- One‑time registration/confirmation fees are non‑refundable under any circumstances.
- Withdrawal deadlines and refunds (by enrolment category):
- Day students and domestic boarders: if written withdrawal notice is received before June 1, 2026, all tuition instalments are refunded; if notice is given between June 1, 2026 and the start of the academic year, 40% of the base tuition fees are due and not refunded. Once the academic year begins, refunds are handled under the Tuition Refund Plan.
- International boarders / new international students: if written withdrawal notice is received before April 1, 2026, all tuition instalments are refunded; if notice is given between April 1, 2026 and the start of the academic year, 40% of the base tuition fees are due and not refunded. New international students must pay the required confirmation payment and first tuition instalment deadlines to receive the Letter of Acceptance for study‑permit purposes.
- Tuition Refund Plan (mandatory and included in tuition fees):
- Coverage: in case of withdrawal or dismissal, the plan refunds a portion of unused tuition: Non‑medical withdrawal — 60% of the unused fees; Medical withdrawal — 75% of the unused fees (medical withdrawal requires certification and medical review). Refunds under the plan are calculated on the basis of full fees having been paid and after deducting outstanding instalments or incidental charges; exclusions apply (e.g., closure due to force majeure, suspension, change in enrolment status). Examples and detailed terms are provided in the Tuition Refund Plan.

Practical notes on payments and deposits

- Schools request an incidental deposit by August 31 to cover incidental charges as they are posted to the account. Statements of account are available through the Business Office financial portal. Scholarship/bursary awards are applied to the account and will reduce scheduled payments on a pro‑rated basis after approval. Sibling bursaries are available for the second and third child and are credited in September.

Contact for billing questions

- The Business Office handles tuition and payment questions (phone and email contact provided).
Academics

Ridley College teaches IB (PYP), IB (MYP), IB (DP), Canadian Curriculum for students aged 4 to 18.

Curriculum
Ridley College Upper School offers the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) and the International Baccalaureate Diploma (IB). Ridley is an IB World School and the only independent boarding school in Canada authorized to offer the IB continuum, with an open-access policy for the IB Diploma Programme. The IB Diploma Programme core includes Theory of Knowledge (TOK), Extended Essay (EE), and Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS), studied across Grades 11 and 12. The DP is organized around six subject groups: Language and Literature, Language Acquisition, Individuals and Societies, Sciences, Mathematics, and the Arts. Students may pursue the OSSD alone, the IB Diploma, or an OSSD/IB Hybrid; the OSSD requires 30 credits (18 compulsory, 12 optional), 40 hours of community involvement, and the Ontario Secondary Literacy Test.

Higher Education Progression
Graduates gain acceptance to over 100 prestigious universities worldwide. Ridley's IB/OSSD pathway prepares students for selective colleges and universities globally. Graduates have matriculated at universities including Harvard University, Yale University, Princeton University, University of Oxford, University of Toronto, and University of British Columbia.
Wellbeing

English as an Additional Language (EAL)
The language of instruction is English. If English is not your first language, admissions may request English language proficiency results (e.g., IELTS, Duolingo, TOEFL).
Parent Experience

History
Ridley College began in 1888 with the vision of its founding headmaster, J.O. Miller. Ridley College opened its doors in 1889, initially welcoming students from Canada and across the Atlantic. Through the Depression, pandemics, two World Wars, industrialization and the new technological age, Ridley remained true to its values. Behind these standards is the school motto Terar Dum Prosim (May I be Consumed in Service); for more than 130 years Ridley has educated leaders across many fields.

Community
Ridley College has a diverse student body from 65 countries and many Canadian provinces. The 90-acre Niagara region campus features historic architecture and modern facilities. Education at Ridley is an International Baccalaureate World School, with a learner-centred, inquiry-based approach and a wellbeing-focused program. The Ridley family fosters belonging across ages, generations and identity groups, and students engage with a global perspective.

Parent Teacher Association (PTA)
Ridley College Family Guild is a parent-driven organization with over 100 years of history. Upon enrollment, every parent automatically becomes a member. The Guild orients new families through the Family Mentor programme and coordinates volunteer opportunities; it meets on campus one Tuesday each month. The Guild runs multiple committees and events throughout the year, including Baking for Boarders, Chapel Committee, Christmas Market, Decorating for events, Designer Purse Bingo, Family Mentor Programme, Lost and Found, Recycled Uniform Programme, Sports and Hospitality, and TigerFest Carnival. The Guild's Executive Committee leads and coordinates these activities to support the school and enhance the student and family experience.
Facilities

Facilities Overview
Ridley College sits on a 90-acre campus in the Niagara Region. The Mitchell Learning Commons sits at the heart of the campus, in the new Iggulden Building; it is a modern library and learning space designed for both collaborative learning and independent study. The Paterson Performance Hall provides a dynamic venue for band, symphony and student performances. The Great Hall is the grand dining hall where students gather for meals and community life. The Suzanne Court '86 Family Fitness Centre offers a central hub for fitness and wellness. The Jack Aylott Squash Centre features top-tier courts and training space, and Tiger Arena is a state-of-the-art hockey venue with an NHL-sized ice surface for training and competition.

Sports Facilities
Tiger Arena is a state-of-the-art hockey arena with an NHL-sized ice surface for training and competition. The Jack Aylott Squash Centre offers top-tier squash courts and dedicated training space. The Suzanne Court '86 Family Fitness Centre is the central hub for lifting and conditioning. Ridley College's athletic facilities support a wide range of sports through both formal and co-curricular programs.

Academic Facilities
Mitchell Learning Commons sits at the heart of the campus, in the new Iggulden Building. It is a modern library and learning space designed for both collaborative learning and independent study. The Mitchell Learning Commons is the home of the library and archives, a café, and common areas where students can gather to study or socialize. The Iggulden Building hosts a suite of new spaces for learning and the arts, including Norris Walker Creative Commons, the Music Centre, Paterson Performance Hall and Legat Family Art Gallery.

Extra Curricular Facilities
Ridley offers 75+ co-curricular offerings. Arts and Music Co-Curriculars include courses and ensembles in Strings, Band and Voice, Symphony Orchestra, Jazz Band, Choir and Cadet Band, and Visual Arts with painting, drawing and ceramics as well as digital imaging. Beginning in Grade 10, students may take courses in film and theatre; these pursuits are complemented by co-curricular activities culminating in dramatic productions, a school musical and a film club feature film presented in Ridley's 350-seat Mandeville Theatre. The Upper School Athletics program includes a range of sport offerings with formal competitive and prep sport possibilities.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual
Co-curricular programming fosters connection and creativity and helps students balance academics with 75+ offerings. Activities fit into three enrichment categories: Consumed in Service, Building Leadership, and a Learning Community. Arts and music co-curriculars include Strings, Band and Voice with ensembles such as Symphony Orchestra, Jazz Band and Cadet Band, alongside Visual Arts courses in painting, drawing and ceramics. Drama and film are supported by theatre and film programs, culminating in dramatic productions and a school musical staged in Ridley's 350-seat Mandeville Theatre.

Arts & Creative
Upper School arts programs include Strings, Band and Voice, with ensembles such as Symphony Orchestra, Jazz Band and Cadet Band. Visual Arts cover painting, drawing, ceramics and digital imaging, with students using state-of-the-art imaging and printing technologies. Beginning in Grade 10, students may study film and theatre, culminating in performances in Ridley's Mandeville Theatre. Arts leadership is fostered through the Arts Council and related groups that promote exhibitions, productions and creative leadership on campus.

Cultural & Language
Ridley offers international exchange opportunities for students in Grades 7 through 12 and is a candidate school for Round Square, aligning with themes of International Understanding, Democracy, Environmental Stewardship, Adventure, Leadership and Service. Exchange participants travel to Round Square partner schools and engage in cross-cultural learning. The school also hosts international service trips and Round Square International Conference opportunities to broaden students' global perspectives.

Social & Hobbies
Ridley provides a wide range of student clubs and activities beyond academics. Representative groups include the Arts Council, Cadet Drill Team/Honour Guard, Chapel Council and the Positive Space Group, with opportunities to lead and organize events. Students may participate in music ensembles, theatre productions, film clubs and various athletic and hobby-based groups, with room for new clubs to form. The campus culture encourages creativity, collaboration and social connection across grades.

Community & Service
Co-curriculars include Consumed in Service, focused on service and citizenship. Ridley runs international service trips and Round Square Service Projects as part of its global citizenship program, including trips to Guatemala, Malawi and Thailand. December and July Round Square Service Trips provide additional opportunities to engage with communities around the world.

Leadership & Professional
Ridley offers extensive student leadership opportunities, including Prefects and Cadet Officer and NCO Training. Other leadership roles include Cadet Drill Team/Honour Guard, House Captains, IB Executive Council and Ridley Admission Ambassadors. Leadership is also embedded in Arts Council, Tiger Athletic Council and Chapel Council, which support arts, sport and inclusion across the school.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing
Upper School athletics follow Sport for Life, emphasizing fun, friendship and life skills, with internal competition for some sports. Fall, winter and spring offerings include yoga, fitness centre activities and a range of team and individual sports; competitive prep sport also takes place in various leagues. The program supports wellbeing and balance with mindfulness and physical activity integrated into the school schedule.
Languages

Language Provision
Language provision includes English-language IB courses (IB English: Literature; IB English: Language and Literature) and IB Chinese: Literature. In Language Acquisition, the program includes IB French Level B (Advanced) and IB German ab initio, IB Mandarin ab initio, and IB Spanish ab initio. Additional languages are offered as self-study.
Reputation

Awards
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Accreditations
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Admissions

Admissions
1. Begin with the online application, the student's essay, year-end academic reports for three years including the current year, and confidential/academic recommendation forms as applicable. If English is not the first language, English language proficiency results from IELTS, Duolingo, or TOEFL may be requested, and mainland China applicants may be asked to submit Vericant interview results or Duolingo test results. The Admissions Office will provide an Application Checklist after submission to help upload documentation and schedule an interview.

Scholarships
3. Ridley provides entrance scholarships based on merit for new applicants; ideal candidates show strong academics, community involvement and leadership potential. The Anderson Scholarship is a one-year full tuition and boarding award for incoming Grade 9 boarding students who are American citizens, contingent on applying and visiting Ridley before February 19, 2027. Need-based bursaries are awarded to families in Grades 4–12 based on demonstrated financial need, with Apple Financial Services providing an objective financial resources review.

Waitlist
2. If there is no space when the application is reviewed, day and boarding applicants may be placed in a waitpool. Admissions will reach out should a spot become available; waitpooled candidates are encouraged to explore other options for the upcoming school year.
School Events
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